General Info

[QUOTE=MrHappyKat;2775420]I've been researching this for a long time here, on YouTube and other blogs / vlogs and I have yet to get an authoritative answer. I'll appreciate anyone here that provide accurate guidance.

Finally, if I use Grab am I better off paying through the App or should I wait to negotiate with the driver and pay cash.

Thanks again for any insights you can provide.[/QUOTE]Get an apartment near where you want to be. I like Malate, some Pasay and some Makati. I don't go to shop and Malate has a wide range of good restaurants. Go onto the apps and order in a girl. Pina love, Tinder, TanTan, Date in Asia, filipino cupid. If you want a freelancer then Makati or LA Cafe (Malate / Ermitra) or outside Robinsons Place in Malate.

I finally uploaded my credit card to Grab and found it convenient. Don't have to worry about small change.

Hi Sam, thank you so much for the detailed reply, really appreciate it. If we ever meet, drinks on me!

[QUOTE=Sam14;2775236]You're correct, almost. The other thing you need is a travel declaration. It takes about a minute to fill up and you get an instant barcode that they'll ask for at some point.

[URL]https://etravel.gov.ph/[/URL]

Philippine Airlines has a useful tool if you go to "prepare" then "requirements". But its only a tool, its not the last word.

You can try this one too. It's the International Air Teavel Association.

[URL]https://www.iatatravelcentre.com/PH-Philippines-passport-visa-health-travel-document-requirements.htm[/URL]

One thing that catches people by surprise is yellow fever. Entering Philippines from say, Brazil, or Africa youd need Proof of yellow fever shot. But I dont think Thailand is on that list, better double check.

Regarding hotels and stuff, its no longer required by law but that dont mean the person working there is up on it. And the individual establishment has the right to enforce whatever policy they choose, I suppose. Its their place. WC mentioned that someone hit him up, and his FUBU wasnt allowed entry. So you better check with the place before you book.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=MrHappyKat;2775420]I've been researching this for a long time here, on YouTube and other blogs / vlogs and I have yet to get an authoritative answer. I'll appreciate anyone here that provide accurate guidance.

I am big guy: 6'1" tall, weigh about 320 lbs /145 kg, and I'm 61 years old. My health is ok, not great, and I have difficulty walking more than a few blocks.

My concern is about being able to use trikes to get around. Will I fit comfortably? If I want to bring a bar girl to a hotel (mine or a sogo) will she fit in a trike with me comfortably? It's really hard to know by just reviewing videos from the area.

If the answers are no, is my next best option booking a Grab through the mobile App? I realize that on Walking Street in Angeles, getting a Grab during peak hours means moving to a nearby, parallel street. That seems doable.

Finally, if I use Grab am I better off paying through the App or should I wait to negotiate with the driver and pay cash.

Thanks again for any insights you can provide.[/QUOTE]You will not fit in a trike. Don't even try it. Even if you are able to get in you will wrench your back getting out. If you sit sidesaddle behind the driver you have the chance of falling off.

In AC you can hail a Blue Taxi.

Btw, in AC you might contact Beeway Travel to see if they have a SUV available for you and what the cost might be. You can travel with them from Manila to AC and back.

[QUOTE=Dg8787;2775961]You will not fit in a trike. Don't even try it. Even if you are able to get in you will wrench your back getting out. If you sit sidesaddle behind the driver you have the chance of falling off.

In AC you can hail a Blue Taxi.

Btw, in AC you might contact Beeway Travel to see if they have a SUV available for you and what the cost might be. You can travel with them from Manila to AC and back.[/QUOTE]This is all good advice. Grab and taxis are available in AC.

I used BeeWay both coming and going to AC a few months back. P3500 each way, paid to the driver at the end of the trip. Competent, professional drivers, who both had known the destination locations and directions prior to picking me up. I tell them to keep the radio off and I want it quiet in the vehicle. That way I can concentrate on my phone, or sleep in the back seat if needed. Comfortable 90-minute rides. Sunday is still the best day for light traffic.

BTW, I think Grab now has a similar feature when ordering a vehicle for transport. "Quiet Ride", "Silent Ride", or such. You can communicate it to your driver in advance of his picking you up. It means you want it quiet in the vehicle during your entire ride.

Well, looks like I haven't posted anything in a while. NY Eve was filled with food, grog, friends, music, happy pina, and fireworks. A warm, wonderful evening. The next morning wasn't so bad either; a great way to ring in the new year. So many future possibilities here. Use your imagination.

A quick help from the experts here. Is Visa on arrival still applicable for Indians who have a valid US travel Visa? I see some discussions around this 6-7 months back and I am fairly confident. However, I still want to make sure I do my due diligence.

Thanks in advance for all the help.

Some Airbnb prices, for the month of January. Also non-descript listing descriptions. In general, small (16 M, SM Green Residences) lower-end places are $500+. Older and mid-sized studios at Birch Tower and Citadel are $650-$900-ish. And Knightsbridge / Gramercy studios are $900+ (saw some at $1700) per month. Add 10% for the airbnb service fee. Owners are also less likely to actually reply to questions (or reply days after you asked). A seller's market.

Pics 1-3: Nearly blank descriptions.

Pics 4-6: Robinson's Malate, Birch Tower, Adriatico / Faura, Mabini.

Pics 7-8: Makati, Knightsbridge, Gramercy.

Pic 9: Jazz Residence Makati (Jazz Mall).

Pic 10: MOA, Shore Residences.

[QUOTE=WestCoast1;2775986] BTW, I think Grab now has a similar feature when ordering a vehicle for transport. "Quiet Ride", "Silent Ride", or such. You can communicate it to your driver in advance of his picking you up. It means you want it quiet in the vehicle during your entire ride.[/QUOTE]Can I request chipmunk Partridge in a Pear Tree and Santa Claus is coming to town in a continuous loop?

[QUOTE=Sam14;2776133]Can I request chipmunk Partridge in a Pear Tree and Santa Claus is coming to town in a continuous loop?[/QUOTE]I like the feature. How many times have you slid into a pinoy taxi and had to listen to the driver's music -- at his volume?

[QUOTE=WestCoast1;2775986]This is all good advice. Grab and taxis are available in AC.

I used BeeWay both coming and going to AC a few months back. P3500 each way, paid to the driver at the end of the trip. Competent, professional drivers, who both had known the destination locations and directions prior to picking me up. I tell them to keep the radio off and I want it quiet in the vehicle. That way I can concentrate on my phone, or sleep in the back seat if needed. Comfortable 90-minute rides. Sunday is still the best day for light traffic.

BTW, I think Grab now has a similar feature when ordering a vehicle for transport. "Quiet Ride", "Silent Ride", or such. You can communicate it to your driver in advance of his picking you up. It means you want it quiet in the vehicle during your entire ride.[/QUOTE]Thanks all for your info and advice. I will plan on using Grab or local Taxi's (White in Manila? And Blue in AC?) as my go-to. But I'll try a trike early just to confirm it's a poor choice for me. LOL.

As to your location suggestions, I'm all over that: In Manila I'm staying one block from LA Cafe in Ermita, and when I return after a week in AC I'll be across the street from Filling Station (you guessed it-Makati Palace). In AC I'll be at ABC for 7 nights. It should be easy to get Grab's or Taxi's there and back.

Thanks!

[QUOTE=WestCoast1;2776131]
Pic 10: MOA, Shore Residences.[/QUOTE]Recently stayed 3 nights in this area. The AirBNB was a new unit, I was the third BNB client. Because it was a brand new residence there was zero vibe on the street as they had demolished everything. Taxi GPS would never find it as it didn't exist.

Contrast this to the AirBNB I had in Makati which was an older building but the actual apartment was refurbished and nice. Lots of amenities directly in the area.

Surprisingly the price was about the same.

[QUOTE=MrHappyKat;2776181]Thanks all for your info and advice. I will plan on using Grab or local Taxi's (White in Manila? And Blue in AC?) as my go-to. But I'll try a trike early just to confirm it's a poor choice for me. LOL.

As to your location suggestions, I'm all over that: In Manila I'm staying one block from LA Cafe in Ermita, and when I return after a week in AC I'll be across the street from Filling Station (you guessed it-Makati Palace). In AC I'll be at ABC for 7 nights. It should be easy to get Grab's or Taxi's there and back.

Thanks![/QUOTE]FYI. ABC has a car service available on call. A little more expensive but they do use a small SUV which is easlier to get in and out of than a compact car.

[QUOTE=CoolDumble;2776075]A quick help from the experts here. Is Visa on arrival still applicable for Indians who have a valid US travel Visa? I see some discussions around this 6-7 months back and I am fairly confident. However, I still want to make sure I do my due diligence.

Thanks in advance for all the help.[/QUOTE]US travel visa means nothing for PH entry. What matters is the issuing Country of your passport. Due deligence would require you to search the proper sites with the proper information to obtain the necessary requirements.

You are welcome.

[QUOTE=WestCoast1;2776137]I like the feature. How many times have you slid into a pinoy taxi and had to listen to the driver's music -- at his volume?[/QUOTE]WestCoast1 has exceeded their stored private messages quota and cannot accept further messages until they clear some space.

[QUOTE=Goferring;2776241]WestCoast1 has exceeded their stored private messages quota and cannot accept further messages until they clear some space.[/QUOTE]Damn that guy! I have to routinely talk to him about this.